REVIEW: Florida Fresh – Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2019

Jessica Figueroa

REVIEW: Florida Fresh – Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2019

Welcome to an Outdoor Kitchen review for the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, taking place from March 6 to June 3, 2019. This review will focus on Florida Fresh, located next to the eastern edge of the France Pavilion. Florida Fresh debuted at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival in 2013, and return for its seventh festival in 2019.

For our complete coverage of the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, head to our festival landing page at wdwnt.garden.

Florida Fresh at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

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Menu for Florida Fresh at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Food:

  • Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream – $6.50
  • Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish – $7.00
  • Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue (KA) – $4.50

Beverages:

*Price per bottle is an average price of the spirit at your local liquor store.

Photos of Menu Items from Florida Fresh at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream – $6.50

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Florida Fresh
Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream – $6.50

Tender meat with a nice kick that’s evened out by the cilantro lime sour cream. The tomatoes and black bean cake round out the dish bringing a freshness and flavor profile we expect from Miami. It’s a very nice contrast to the other items available at the booth, you won’t be disappointed.

Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish – $7.00

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Florida Fresh
Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish – $7.00

Four shrimp came in a boat filled with sauce, corn, and grits. There’s a nice lingering spice to the entire dish that isn’t overpowering. The shrimp were cooked perfectly. The only real complaint we have about this dish is that there weren’t enough grits to really enjoy the sauce. It’s really a simple thing that could change day to day based on who’s preparing the food. Regardless, it’s a tasty dish that’s well worth the price.

Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue (KA) – $4.50

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Florida Fresh
Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue – $4.50

An extremely large dessert for the price, the key lime tart impresses on all levels. The tart ‘looks’ like it belongs at Flower and Garden, garnished with a festive edible butterfly. Below the layer of wonderfully toasted meringue, you’ll find a distinct tart lime filling encased in a buttery crust. It’s a crowd favorite and one of the must-gets of the festival. Recommended.

Watermelon Cucumber Slushy with Gin – $11.75

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Florida Fresh
Watermelon Cucumber Slushy with Gin – $11.75

Super light and refreshing, the perfect drink for your afternoon at Epcot. Expect a natural watermelon flavor with a subtle cucumber aftertaste. The gin doesn’t overpower the drink and serves to bring out the flavor of the watermelon.

*NEW* Tampa Bay Brewing Company Twisted Strawberry Fest Fruit Ale, Tampa, FL (5.0% ABV) – $4.50

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From Tampa Bay Brewing Company: “Our thirst quenching golden ale fruited with copious amounts of fresh strawberry and lime. Aromas of sweet strawberry fields and aromatic lime zest. Flavors of sugar coated fresh cut Florida strawberries with a slight acidic balance from squeezed lime juice! Florida beer at it’s best!”

Big Top Brewing Company Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, Sarasota, FL (5.1% ABV) – $4.50

From Big Top Brewing Company: “With smooth citrus notes and hints of graham cracker, this beer blends old traditions with new ways to create a perfect beer for the Florida lifestyle.” From our 2018 review, Lime Wheat brought a darker than expect brew but a mellow lime flavor to carry the beer through.

First Magnitude Brewing Monarch Milk Stout, Gainesville, FL (5.0% ABV) – $4.50

From our 2018 review, the Monarch Milk Stout is a very dark and tasty stout.

Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Key Lime Wine, St. Petersburg, FL ($30/bottle) – $11.75

From Florida Orange Groves Winery: “Our sparkling Key Lime wine offers you and your palette a crisp and refreshing taste of Florida in a bottle. Made from 100% key lime juice you won’t need to imagine hints of flavors or finishing notes.”